he knows his performance could blunt romney's move in the polls. the stage is being set in new york. the ring, if you will, for the next debate round. >> i think the stakes are enormous, particularly for the president. >> reporter: round one went to romney. the second round, biden got obama back in the fight, even if his overall debate with ryan was a draw. now, with round three just days away, this morning the candidates are in their corners. mitt romney in boston. the president in williamsburg, virginia taking three days off the campaign trail, not for golf, but debate practice. that's because after his first debate, the president watched the polls tighten in key battleground states with romney even moving ahead in virginia in one poll. >> how are you? >> reporter: team obama tells us the president will go after romney on his tax cut plans and his ideas for winding down the war in afghanistan. but in tuesday's debate, it will be audience members who will be asking the questions in the town hall format. >> he's got to be able to go on offense with